It is probably one of the most common reasons given by young people as a reason for drugs, violence or vandalism, so it's no surprise that the MORI Social Research Institute has found that a lack of facilities for youngsters is a major issue for British communities.

In fact, many locals put activities for teenagers at the top of their 'wish list' for neighbourhood improvements. In research carried out by the MORI Social Research Institute for the Audit Commission, the issue gathered more support than the need to improve local health services, public transport or the local crime rate.

When asked what most needed improving in their local area, more than two in five people (43%) pinpoint 'activities for teenagers'. This is followed by 'Low level of crime' (29%), 'Public Transport' (27%) and 'Facilities for young children' (25%). At the lower end of the spectrum are 'Health Services' (16%) and 'Education Provision' (7%).

Fewer people highlight 'activities for teenagers' as an important factor in making an area a good place to live - less than a quarter (23%) say it is one of the five key factors. Instead, a low level of crime (56%), health services (39%), affordable, decent housing (37%) shopping facilities (28%) and public transport (27%) are considered most important. But MORI SRI research clearly shows that 'activities for teenagers' becomes a major concern (both in rural and urban areas) when there is a lack of provision for teenagers in a community.

The MORI Social Research Institute's Warren Hatter said: "We hope this will help local councils focus on the issues which really matter to people. These findings clearly show that there is much more to being a successful local authority than just delivering core services. Nearly all councils need to develop their community leadership role and enhancing activities for young people is an important part of that."

This research is in line with findings set out by the Government following disturbances in spring and summer of 2001 in some English towns and cities. The Home Secretary established a review team, led by Ted Cantle, to seek the views of local residents and community leaders in the affected towns and in other parts of England on the issues which needed to be addressed to bring about social cohesion and also to identify good practice in the handling of these issues at local level.

The conclusions of the Cantle report were that facilities for young people, including those provided under the Youth Service, were in a "parlous state" in many areas. The report stated that "many impressive schemes which engage youngsters - particularly the disaffected - depend on the goodwill of dedicated helpers in order to survive. We need a much greater investment".

The report suggested that "consideration should be given to placing some aspects of youth provision on a statutory basis, to a given standard". At the moment, such provision is not statutory.

Davy Jones, Performance Indicator Manager for the Audit Commission, said: "The Audit Commission is conducting a national pilot exercise with around 90 councils in England (one quarter of all English councils) to develop a set of 'quality of life' indicators. All councils now have a statutory duty to produce a long term community strategy with their partners in the public, private and voluntary sectors to improve the quality of life in their local area. These indicators are designed to help them measure the success of these strategies.

"The indicators cover a broad range of issues such as air quality, infant mortality rates, deprivation levels and traffic volumes.. The pilot exercise will be reviewed at the end of March and the Commission hopes to publish proposals on which are the best indicators and how they might be used."